Flash-light photography.



PATHNTHH 'MAY 7, 1907.

H. RUSSEL. A FLASH. LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY.

APPLIOATIOIFILBD JULY 25.1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATBNTBD MAY?, 1907.

E. RUSSEL.

FLASH LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY. nr'morrmn Hmm JULY 25. 190s. j. 2 sannita-snm 2.

fue Hemus rzrns co., wasnmaron. D. e,

EDGAR RUSSEL, OF THE UITED STATES I FLASH-LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY.,

specification of Letters Patent. v Application filed July 25, 1906.V Serial No. 327,701.

v i Patented May '7, 1907.

graphic cameras', and it consists in providingl improved apparatus whereln a num-l certain ber of flashes 'may be made in-the same room without vitiatin ..thefair, and in'which the Hash is produceA "instantaneously, when del sired, andjwithoutany hang-fires.

Furthermore 1nl Vthe hereinafter described apparatus-.theiflaslrilight is diffused, and the lsmplzeumesare retained in the apparatus. 4 a .Accordi'ng .toniy invention the powder for vthe flash light 1s contained in a convenient Furthermore, ,t "e1 a paratus is adapted to be readily assem le or taken apart for transportation vtrom place to place, as may cartridgeqand is ignyitedby `an electric spark.

' be desired.

', My mventionbe understood by referhich the same parts .are indicated by the same and igniter for the cartrid .letters throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is' a side elevation showing the complete apparatus mounted and ready for use. F igl 2 shows the extensible stand folded in shape for transportation. Fig. 3 shows l a central vertical "section of the pyramidal chamber, in which the Hash light powder is burned. .Fig. 4 shows the combined holder e, p rts being broken away. Fig. 5 is ap an view of the head of the holder and igniter with the cartridge removed. Fig. 6 is a detail showing theinsulating cap used for holding the cartridge, as detachedfrom the apparatus. Fig. 7 shows a section throu h the cartridge, and

'Fig. 8 is a plan view of t e cartridge.`

A represents a frame having folding legs A pivoted 4as at a to the sleeve A". These le s A are connected by the links B to the colar C secured to the end of the hollow post C', which passes through the sleeve A0 and is clamped in the desired position by means of the clamp screw a. This hollow sleeve is provided with a clamp C2 and clamp.

the wooden block K', by means of screw c to engage the post D, which passes i down through the hollow post C. This post carries at its upper end a clutch member E adapted to engage the correspon .clutch member E carried-'by .the pyramida box F. By'means of the clamp nut E2 and the screw e, this (pyramidal box maybe adjusted at any desire angle, may be varied by means of the clam screws a. and c. This box F is providedpwith a block f at its apex, to which the member E of the clutch coupling is attached.'- The box is formed of two-parts .F and FZ stiffened by the ribs f j and f The part F of the box is made of sheet metal, preferably tin, while the part Fz is covered with translucent material, which is not `particularly inlammable,-

such as tracing linen. f ,l

The outer end of. herbox door F3, which'v comprises', l with tracing? linenvv ;=s. tre" This door-ramef is edpreferablyto the bottom of 'thebox, :asi atf, and'-isijiorrnally "lockedin liewbyionelf moreheoksfs. f.

, Ht represents afsocketfor f the :f cartridge holder: and .igniterfgwhich socketjis4 {permanently secured` 'in-,the bottoni of the box; F and is provided'with-f4 1 curved slotihfin vits side, which .is adapted.`to",receivethepin7c, see 4, ofthe cartridgellderilg-iand sewhile the heightvof the box cures same in place,.a fter themanner of a bayonety joint.-

.The holder parts, the main body K being of'wood,' to which is secured thebinding posts 7c, and through which-' ass' they wireslc' member is prefErabl-y inthe form of a cupshaped cap K madefof slate, porcelain, or other suitable insulating material, 'secured to thscrews K2 iscupped, asat cto-rec. This cap ceive the cartridge M. The bottom ofthev cup is recessed, as at ks, see 6, to receive the bent-over ends ofthe wireslc Between these recesses ks there is a short bridge of insulating material k3. I, l

The cartridge M is preferably-'made by stamping out a rin m of cardboard, or other insulating materia of sufficient thickness, then pasting over one side of this ring a paper disk m filling the cup formed in the interior of the ring with the flash light powder m3, and -then pasting on a strip of thin paper 'm2 to form the top of the cartridge.

The binding posts c are connected by a suitable cable .N to any suitable sourceof K'iis preferably madezhof *twoV The other IOO IOS

IIO

electricity, such, for instance, as the induction coil P, which derives its electricity from the battery Q. This battery may be conveniently supported on a table R, suspended by hooks 1' from the links B, as shown in Fig. 1. The induction coil P maybe connected to the frame of the apparatus, as by means of the clamps p.

The operation of the device is as follows. The box F being adjusted to the proper height by means of the clamps a and c, and being tilted through the proper angle, -and clamped by means of the clamp E2, the cartridge holder K is detached from the box, a cartridge is inserted in the cup k2, and the holder K is restored to the initial position. It will be seen that the bottom of the cartridge will be separated from the terminals of the wires k by the thickness of the paper, and by a thin film of air, and thus the powder will be insulated from the wires c. Now, if the push button N', see Fig. 1, be pressed, the electric sparkwill jump across the gap above the bridge k3, penetrating the paper bottom m of the cartridge, and setting fire to the powder m3. Thus it will be seen that instantaneous and thoroughly reliable action is had without the occurrence of any of the hang-fires which are so seriously objectionable in flash light photography. The light from the burninfT powder will be diffused through the trans ucent material f, and the solid deposit from the products of combus` tion will whiten the interior of the part F of the box, tending to increase the reflection therefrom.

It will be obvious that the apparatus may be used over and over again by simply taking out the holder K and'putting in a fresh cartridge, and that the escape of smoke and gases through the socket H during the brief time when open will be comparatively insignificant.

When it is desired to get rid of the smoke and gases inclosed in the box F, it may be removed from the top of the stand and carried to a Window, and the door F3 may be opened to the outer air. This door also affords convenient access to the interior of the box for cleaning or for other purposes.

For convenience in transportation, the case P containing the coil may be removed, as also the cells Q, and the table R, the box F may be detached from the top of the stand, and the standmay be folded up, as shown in Fig. 2. The box itself may be made to knock down and fold up flat.

By having the powder arranged in the form of cartridges, as' described, it may be conveniently transported and quickly used without the necessity of measuring out same before each use. Moreover, by varying the chamber for the powder in the cartridge, which may be done by either thickening the axial diameter of the ring m, or decreasing the radial thickness of said ring, various charges of powder may be used without increasing the Width of the cartridge. Thus a stock of cartridges containing different amounts of powder can be quickly and conveniently made up, which can be used later when occasion re uires.

It Will be obvious that various modifications in the herein described apparatus may be made, which can be used without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1.` A flash light apparatus comprising an ladjustable stand, a pyramidal box carried by said stand and havin its base and the adj acent portions of its si es composed of a skeleton frame covered with translucent material, a

detachable cartridge holder adapted to project into said box and provided with electric terminals for forming an arc, and means for -causing an electric spark to jump across said terminals and pierce the cartridge thus igniting the powder, substantially as described.

2. A flash light apparatus comprising a stand, a pyramidal box carried by said stand and having its base and portions of its sides made of translucent material, a detachable cartridge holder adapted to project into said box and provided with a cartridge holding cup, with electric terminals separated by an insulating bridge and embedded in the bottom ofsaid cup, and means forcausing an electric spark to pass over said bridge and pierce the cartridge held in said cup, thus igniting the powder, substantially as described.

^ 3. A flash light apparatus comprising a portable stand, a tapered box adjustably connected to said stand and having a skeleton base covered with translucent material, a cartridge holder detachahly connected to and adapted toproject into said box and provided with electric terminals for forming an arc, a cartridge mounted in said holder and provided with a thin perforable bottom, and means for causing an electric spark to jump across said terminals and pierce the bottom of the cartridge thus igniting the powder, substantially as described.

4. A Hash light apparatus comprising an adjustable stand, a pyramidal box carried by said stand and having a skeleton base covered with translucent material, a detachable cartridge holder adapted to project into said box and provided with electric terminals separated by an insulating bridge, a cartridge mounted in said holder and provided with a thin perforable bottom, and means for causing an electric spark to pass over said bridge and pierce the cartridge thus igniting the powder, substantially as described.

5. A flash light apparatus comprising an adjustable stand, a pyramidal box carried by IOO said stand and having its base and the adjacent portions of its sides composed of a skeleton frame covered with translucent material, a detachable cartridge holder adapted to project into said box and provided with electric terminals for forming an arc, a cartridge mounted in said holder and provided with a thin perforable bottom, and means for causing an electric spark to jump across said terminals and pierce the cartridge thus igniting the powder, substantially as described.

6. A flash light apparatus comprising a stand, a pyramiclal box carried by said stand and having its base and portions of its sides made of translucent material, a detachable cartridge holder adapted to project -into said box and provided with a cartridge holding cup, with electric terminals separated by an insulating bridge and embedded in the bottom of said cup, a cartridge mounted in said holder and provided with a thin perforable bottom, and means for causing an electric spark to pass over said bridge and pierce the cartridge held in said cup, thus igniting the powder, substantially as described.

7. A flash light apparatus comprising an 1 adjustable stand, a box carried by said stand and having its base made mainly of translucent material, ya detachable cartridge holder adapted to project into said box andprovided'with electric terminals separated by an insulating bridge, a cartridge mounted in\ said holder and provided with a thin perforable bottom, and means for causing an electric spark to pass over said bridge and to pierce the cartridge igniting the powder,'sub stantially as described.

8. A flash li ht apparatus comprising a` portable and a justable stand, a pyramidal box adjustably mounted on said stand and having its base and portions of its sides made of translucent material, a detachable cartridge holder adapted to project into said box and provided with a cartridge holding cup, with electric terminals separated by an insulating bridge and embedded in the bottom of said cup, a cartridge mounted in said cup, and means for causing an electric spark to pass over said bridge and pierce the cartridge held in said cup, thus igniting the powder, substantially as described.

9. ln a flash light apparatus comprising a stand, a box adjustably connected to the top of said stand, parts of said box being covered with translucent material, a cartridge holder adapted to project into and to be detachably. connected to said box, a cartridge mounted in said holder, electric conductors carried by said holder and forming a gap in juxta position to said cartridge, a source of electricity and means for completing the circuit through said conductors and thus forming a spark at said gap, substantially as'described.

10. A flash light apparatus comprising a stand, a tapered box adjustably connected to the top of' said stand, parts of said box being covered with translucent material, a cartridge holder adapted to project into and to be detachably connected to said box, a cartridge mounted in said' holder, .electric conductors carried by said holder andl forming a gap in juxtaposition to said cartridge, an electric battery carried by said stand, an induction coil also carried by said stand and connected to 4said battery, electric conductors connecting said induction coil andsaid cartridge holder, and means for completing the circuit through said conductors and thus forming a spark at said gap, vsubstantially as described.

11. A flash light apparatus comprising a portable and vertically adjustable stand, a pyramidal box -having its apex adjustably connected to the top of said stand, the base and adjacent parts of said pyramid being covered with translucent material, a cartrid e holder adapted to project into and to be etachably connected to the said box, a

cartridge mounted in said holder, electric conductors carried by said holder and forming a gap in juxta position to said cartridge, an electric battery carried bysaid stand, an induction coil also carried by. said stand and connected' to said battery, electric conductors connecting said induction coil and said cartridge holder, and means for completing the circuit through said conductors and thus forming a spark at said gap, substantially as described.

12. A cartridge for use in flash light apparatus comprising a disk of cardboard orother suitab1e"`material cut away'at its center to form a powder chamber, an upper and lower disk secured to said cardboard disk, and powder held in the chamber thus formed, substantially as described.

13. A cartridge for u se in flash light apparatus comprising a body portion made of cardboard or the like, cut away in the center to form a powder chamber, and thin sheets IOO IIO

of paper pasted over the top and bottom of EDGAR RUSSEL.

Witnesses: y

J. STEPHEN GIUSTA, ADELAIDE B. STELLE. 

